The Michigan Theater – faced with a budget shortfall – has turned to the community for help.

The Michigan Theater is asking the public to help it make up a budget shortfall.Brienne Bowen | The Ann Arbor News

Earlier this week the not-for-profit theater faced a $100,000 deficit, however by mid-day Thursday that had been whittled down to $70,000. The theater’s fiscal year ends Monday.

The money would be used to cover basic, day-to-day theater operations. Forty percent of the theater’s daily operating budget comes from community support.

“We have about a 3 percent shortfall this particular year,” said Russ Collins, Michigan Theater executive director and CEO. “It’s not tragic but, you like to hit your budget number.”

The theater held its annual Towsley Society benefit last Wednesday, and donations were less than expected, Collins explained. The fundraiser typically brings in about $250,000.

“This year it was shorter than it was expected to be,” Collins confirmed.

He said the situation is not serious enough that the theater would have to cut programs or staff if the money isn’t raised. Nor is the situation unusual.

“We’re like any business. Some years go extremely well and you do better than budget. Some years, you do worse and end up below budget. The budget variance this year is a budget variance that is within the range of a normal year.”

The last time the theater had to trim staff and programming was in 2008, during the height of the economic downturn

“The real concern is when you get a downward trend. I’m not seeing that,” Collins added.

The Michigan Theater’s annual budget is just above $3 million, said Collins. The shortfall is between 2 and 3 percent of that amount.

Collins called membership numbers “robust,” and said donations – with the exception of the Towsley event, “have been good in general.” According to Collins, the Michigan Theater has close to 4,000 members.

The Michigan Theater, located at 603 E. Liberty St. and built in 1928, hosts movies in two auditoriums, concerts and many other community and performing arts events. It is also the home of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the Ann Arbor Film Festival.

It was named a 2006 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theaters, and also hosts a series of children's stage productions called "Not Just For Kids" and the concert series "The Legends of Rock & Roll."

To donate, call Lee Berry, chief development officer, at 734-668-8397 ext. 22. Donate on line at www.michtheater.org/towsley